swordtail — [sôrd′tāl΄] n. any of a genus (Xiphophorus) of fishes that are livebearers: the male has the lower caudal fin rays drawn out in a swordlike process … English World dictionary

swordtail — /sawrd tayl , sohrd /, n. any of several small, brightly colored, viviparous, freshwater fishes of the genus Xiphophorus, native to Central America, having the lower part of the caudal fin elongated into a swordlike structure: often kept in… … Universalium

swordtail — /ˈsɔdteɪl/ (say sawdtayl) noun (plural swordtail or swordtails) any of several small, viviparous, Mexican cyprinodont fishes of the genus Xiphophorus, commonly cultivated in home aquariums. Usage: For variation in the plural inflection, see note… … Australian English dictionary

swordtail — noun Date: 1858 a small brightly marked Central American live bearer (Xiphophorus helleri of the family Poeciliidae) often kept in tropical aquariums and bred in many colors … New Collegiate Dictionary

swordtail — noun a Central American freshwater fish popular in aquaria, the male of which has a tail with an elongated and brightly marked lower edge. [Xiphophorus helleri.] … English new terms dictionary

swordtail — sword•tail [[t]ˈsɔrdˌteɪl, ˈsoʊrd [/t]] n. ich any freshwater fish of the Central American genus Xiphophorus: the male has a swordlike extension of the lower caudal fin • Etymology: 1925–30 … From formal English to slang